PROGRAM

 

 

ABSTRACT
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN NEPAL: A PAKISTAN’S
PERSPECTIVE
NABIHA GUL

 

During past some decades, many of the serious disputes in the world have been the disputes within states. The growing interconnectedness of the global politics if, on the one hand, brought along newer ways of colonization and imperialism, on the other hand, provoked societies to fight for their rights against the political and social suppression. South Asia as one of the conflict prone regions of the world is faced with some of the most volatile intra-state disputes. Multiple factors have contributed to the surfacing and expansion of these disputes. Primarily, it is autocracy and socio-cultural disparities, which have not only triggered these conflicts but also led the states towards political turmoil. 
            Nepal being one of the major conflict zones of the South Asian region where centuries-old monarchy and autocratic policies not only hampered socio-economic development but also led the society towards an armed uprising which gradually engulfed the whole state. Ensued in 1996, the Maoist Movement was initially considered as only a law and order problem, which turned into a full-fledged, armed conflict and continued for ten long years. After the April 2006 pro-democracy mass uprising that ultimately overthrew monarchy, the state is experiencing transition from monarchy to democracy. Apparently, the insurgency is over but the conflict is not resolved yet. On the one hand, Maoists and the political hierarchy are confronting each other on the future set-up of the government and on the other, the deep-rooted discontentment and prejudice against political hierarchy among the masses which together with the Maoists’ agenda can resurface in the form of uprising any time.

           

Currently, what is needed in Nepal is conflict management. Keeping in view the complex nature of the conflict and intermingling factors involved in the political turmoil in Nepal, the success of any attempt towards the resolution of the conflict and building sustainable peace requires smooth transfer of power, well-planned strategies and feasible post-conflict democratic reforms. Few questions may be raised in this regard:      

           

           
• What are the prospects for peace and security in Nepal?
• How a peaceful transition to democracy can be achieved?
• How far has the intra-state conflict been resolved?
• How far is conflict management feasible in Nepal?
           

           

Lastly, the paper aims to discuss some lessons to be learnt by Pakistan from Nepal’s experience.
* Paper presented in an International Workshop on Conflict Management Mechanisms and the Challenge of Peace organized by the Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Islamabad at the Arts Auditorium on November 26-27-2007

            ** Research Officer, The Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, Karachi